Time element device



23? W35, HmsTEvENs UQE@ I TIME ELEMENT DEVICE Fild OCE. 4, 1933 Hen-Dg M. Sie-vens, Deceased.

by immuzecm S'evens, Execu'nix. Mama? 3&3

His AGEOPHQ@ Patented Jan. 28, 1936 UNITEDl STATES PATENT OFFICE TIME ELEMENT DEVICE Application october 4, 1933, serial No. 692,112

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in time element devices and particularly relays which have a time action based on the flow of a fluid and which are adapted to a variety of functions. More particularly the invention relates to improvements in relays of the type disclosed in United States Letters Patent 1,532,003, issued March 31, 1925. One object of the invention is to provide an improved and simple unitary relay structure such that by a simple rearrangement of only a few of its parts the relay can function as a time delay pick-up and instantaneous dropout device, an instantaneous pick-up and time delay drop-out device, or a time delay pick-up and time delay drop-out device.

The invention will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view, partly in side elevation, of a relay embodying the invention with the contact controlling mechanism in one circuit controlling position; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the relay shown in Fig. 1 with the cover removed; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the relay shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a part side elevation similar to Fig. 1 showing the contact controlling mechanism in another circuit controlling position; Fig. 5is a sectional elevation on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3 showing the timing mechanism arranged for time delay pick-up and instantaneous drop-out; Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5 of a part of the timing mechanism arranged for instantaneous pick-up and time delay drop-out; Fig. 7 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5 of a part of the timing mechanism arranged for time delay pick-up and time delay drop-out; Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the control valve compartments of the timing mechanism; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view looking into the cover for the control valve compartments.

In order to illustrate the invention, there is shown a relay having a time element mechanism of the type wherein a iiuid containing chamber I5 of variable volume is provided with means including an electromagnet I6 for changing its volume. The chamber I5 is illustrated as of the bellows type wherein a flexible element or bellows I1 of any suitable material is secured to and between a support or head I8 and a disk I9 movable into the hollow of the head to collapse the bellows. The disk I9 is connected to the moving element or armature 28 of the electromagnet the arrangement used for the timing valve 26.

(Cl. 18S-94) through an energy storing means illustrated as including a tubular member or sleeve 2| secured to the disk by a stem 22, an operating rod 23 adjustably positioned with respect to the armature and provided with an enlarged end or plunger 5 20 within the lower end of the sleeve 2| and a spring 25 within the sleeve and between the stem 22 and the plunger 24. While, in so far as the invention is concerned, any suitable iluid may be used in the chamber I5, obviously air will be the 10 more usual and convenient.

In order to control the time action of the relay, the chamber I5 is provided with a restricted passage for the admission and emission of fluid at a predetermined rate. This passage includes a 15 timing valve 26 having a channel 2'I of tapering cross-section extending between a port 28 into the chamber I5 and a port 29 into the air outside. In order to vary the extent of the opening between these ports and thus the time action of the relay, the valve 26 is preferably adjustably positioned on its seat on the head I8. For this purpose, it may be held in positionby suitable means, such as a leaf spring 30.

In accordance with the invention, the chamber I5 is provided with a relatively unrestricted passage and valve means for so controlling the flow of fluid in this passage that there may be a free iiow of fiuid either from or to the chamber or no flow at all. This unrestricted passage includes a 30 port 3l into the chamber I5 and a port 32 into the air. Each of these ports terminates in adjoining valve compartments provided with valve seats 33 and a valve cover 34 which has a channel 35 to interconnect the two valve compart- 35 ments under certain desired conditions, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The valve means further includes a valve or poppet 36 which may be placed on the valve seat in either compartment according to the action desired. In order that the posi- 40 tion of the valve may be readily changed, the valve cover 34 is preferably removably positioned on the head I8. For this purpose it may be held in place by a leaf spring 31 in a manner similar to Assuming that it is desired to have the relay operate with a time delay pick-up and instantaneous drop-out, then the parts will be positionedY as shown in Fig. 5. Now if the relay is sufliciently energized to pick up its armature 20, the spring 25 will be compressed and the energy stored therein gradually released to force the disk I9 into the head I8 and thereby collapse the bellows I1. Under these conditions no air will be able to escape through the unrestricted passage because the valve 36 will be forcd against the seat in its compartment. Consequently, the air has to escape through the timing valve 26 at a rate dependent upon the setting thereof.

Assuming now that it is desired to have a relay with an instantaneous pick-up and a time delay drop-out, then the valve cover 34 will be removed and the valve 36 shifted to the valve seat in the other compartment, as shown in Fig. 6. The Valve cover 34 is then replaced with its channel 35 again extending between the valve compartments. Now, when the electromagnet IB is energized suiiiciently to pick up its armature 20, air can escape freely through the valve36 and there will be no time delay action in the collapsing of the bellows.V However, upon deenergization of the electromagnet I6 the expansion of the bellows will hold the valve 36 closely down on its seat thereby preventing any emission.

of air through the unrestricted passage. Consequently, whatever air enters the bellows will have to come through, the timing valve 26 and the drop-out time of the relay will be dependent upon the position of this valve.

Assuming now that the relay is to operate with a time delai7 pick-up and a time delay drop-out, then Vthe valve 36 is left on the valve seat in the right-hand valve compartment, as shown in Fig. 7. In thiscase, however, the valve cover 34 is turnedin a direction such that its channel 35 does not connect the valve compartments. For an added safety feature to make sure that the valve is securely held on its seat, the valve cover may be provided with a lug 38 so positioned as to abut the upper side of the. valve 36 when the channel 35 extends transversely of a line joining the valve compartments. Under these conditions, when the electromagnet I6 is sufficiently energized to attract its armature 2D, the valve 33 does not permit the escape of any air from the bellows. Consequently, all air must escape through the timing valve 26 with a time action dependent upon the setting of this valve. Also when the electromagnet I6 is sufficiently deenergized for its armature to drop, no air can enter through theY valve 36. All air, therefore, must enter through the timing valve V26 so that the drop-out is dependent vupon the setting of this valve. The head I8 may be provided with a pocket 39 to receive the lug 38 when the valve cover is positioned as shown in Figs. and 6.

The up and down movements of the armature 28 effect circuit controlling actions of contacts which may be circuit closing on the upward movement and circuit opening on the downward movement and vice versa or a combination of both. Thus, as shown in Fig. 2, a movable circuit controlling member 40 is provided with bridging contacts 4| and 42 which are arranged to control relatively stationary pairs of contacts 43 and 44 respectively so as to close contacts 43 and open contacts 44 on the upward movement ofthe armature 20 and vice versa on the downward movement. ling member 48 is suitably biased for clockwise rotationA by al spring I4.l Y t v Forcontrolling the circuitcontrolling Amember 48 bythe movement of the armature 20 there is provided a collapsible mechanism shown as o f the toggle type. One arm of this mechanism may be formed by two spaced substantially parallel linksV 45Y which are pivoted atr46 to the member 40 abovewits pivotal support 41. The

. free ends oi the links Ii5 carry arroller 48 which engages an abutment 49 at such an angle as to The circuit control-v hold the mechanism rigid. Overtravel of the links 45 beyond the reset or rigid condition position is prevented by a shelf 58 on which the roller 48 rests. Upward movement of the roller 48 is arranged to move the target 5| clockwise into the position shown in Fig. 4 where it is Visible. through the window 52 of the relay case 53 to show an operation of the relay. The target and the circuit controlling member 48 may be reset tothe position shown in Fig. l by a manually operated push rod 54.

Fo-r collapsing the contact operating toggle mechanism to effect movement of the contact controlling member 48, there is provided one or more projections 55 on the sleeve 2| and preferably the sleeve is arranged intermediate the links 45 so that these projections will engage the links in the upward movement of the sleeve.

For resetting the collapsible mechanism and restoring the contacts to their initial circuit controlling position,V the operating member of the sleeve 2| is provided with one or more projections 58 extending transversely of the links 45 in one position of the sleeve so as to engage the links on downward movement of the sleeve. In the event that it is not desired to reset the collapsible mechanism and restore the contacts to their initial circuit controlling position when the relay drops out, the sleeve 2| is so arranged that it can readily be turned in a direction transverse to its longitudinal movement to permit the sleeve projections 56 to pass by the links 45 without any resetting action. For this purpose and also in order to simplify the assembly of the relay and the changeover, the sleeveY 2| may be made as a split sleeve having two parts which are 4'I'naintained in the assembled condition by any `suitable means such as a spring lock ring 62, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The sleeve 2| is so interlocked with the disk stem 22 as to prevent undesired rotation and longitudinal movement' of the sleeve relatively to the other parts.

It will be observed that in relays embodying the invention one unitary structure serves to provide a Wide latitudev in choice of krelay operations both as to time action andV contact resetting, all without the necessity for any loose 0r substitute parts which may be readily lost and also practically without the need ofV any tools.

The invention has been explained by illustrating and describing av certain embodiment thereof, but it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that it may be embodied in other forms than that shown and described. The invention should, therefore, not be restricted to the particular form of construction disclosed herein by way of exampie forV the purpose of setting forth the invention in accordance with the patent statutes. The terms Vci" the appended claims are, therefore, not restricted to thel precise structures disclosed, but are intended to cover all changes and modifications within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

, What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a relay time element mechanism of the type wherein a uid containing chamber of variable volume is provided with `means for changing its volume, a restricted passage rom said chamber for the admission emission of fluid, a relatively unrestricted passage from said cham-4 ber, and valve means for controlling the ow of fluid in said unrestricted passage Vconstructed and arranged to 'occupy any one of VVa plurality of positions therein, said valve means being operative in one of said positions to prevent only emission of iluidfrom said chamber through said unrestricted passage and in another of said positions to prevent only admission of iluid through said unrestricted passage to said chamber and means for controlling said Valve when in said other position to prevent any iiow of fluid in said unrestricted passage.

2..A time element relay comprising a gaslled collapsible bellows, means for collapsing said bellows to force the gas therefrom, a restricted passage from said bellows for exhausting and admitting gas, a relatively unrestricted passage from said bellows provided with a plurality of compartments each having a valve seat, a valve operative when on one of said seats to prevent only the exhaustion of gas from said chamber through said unrestricted passage and when on another of said seats to prevent only admission of gas through said unrestricted passage to said chamber.

3. In a relay time element mechanism of the type wherein a fluid containing chamber of variable volume is provided with means for changing its volume, a restricted passage from said chamber for the admission and emission of fluid, a relatively unrestricted passage from said chamber provided with a plurality of valve compartments, an adjustably positioned cover for said compartments, a valve operative when in one of said compartments and with the cover in one. position to prevent only emission of fluid from said chamber through said unrestricted passage and when in another or" said compartments and with the cover in said one position to prevent only admission of fluid through said unrestricted passage to said chamber and with the cover in another position to prevent any ow of fluid in said unrestricted passage.

4. In a relay time element mechanism of the type wherein a fluid containing chamber of variable volume is provided with means for changing its volume, a restricted passage from said chamber for the admission and emission of fluid, a relatively unrestricted passage from said chamber, valve means for controlling the ilow of fluid in said unrestricted passage constructed and arranged to occupy any one of a plurality of positions therein, said valve means being operative in one of said positions to prevent only emission of fluid from said chamber through said unrestricted passage and in another of said positions to prevent only admission of iluid through said unrestricted passage to said chamber and means for controlling said valve in one of said positions to prevent any flow of fluid in said unrestricted passage.

5. A time element relay comprising an air-filled collapsible bellows, electromagnetic means for collapsing said bellows to force the air therefrom, a restricted passage from said bellows for exhausting and admitting air, adjustably positioned means for controlling the restriction of said passage to vary the time action of the relay, a relatively unrestricted passage from said bellows provided with a plurality of valve compartments each having a valve seat, an adjustably positionedfcover for said valve compartments, a valve operative when on one of said seats and with the cover in one position to prevent only the exhaustion of air from said chamber through said unrestricted passage and when on another of said seats and with the cover in said one position to prevent only admission of air through said unrestricted passage to said chamber and with the cover in another position to prevent any flow of air through said unrestricted passage.

6. A time element relay comprising a gas-lled collapsible bellows, means for collapsing said bellows to force the gas therefrom, a restricted passage from said bellows for exhausting and admitting gas, means for varying the restriction of said passage to control the time action of the relay, a relatively unrestricted passage from said bellows provided with a plurality of compartments each having a valve seat, an adjustably positioned cover for said valve compartments, a valve operative when on one of said seats and with the cover in one position to prevent only the exhaustion of gas from said chamber through said unrestricted passage and when on another of said seats and with the cover in said one position to prevent only admission of gas through said unrestricted passage to said chamber and with the cover in another position to prevent any flow of gas in said unrestricted passage.

7. A relay time element mechanism of the type wherein a iluid containing chamber of variable volume is provided with means for changing its volume, a restricted passage from said chamber for the admission and emission of uid, a relatively unrestricted passage from said chamber provided with a valve compartment, an adjustably positioned cover fo'r said compartment, a valve operative when in said compartment and with the covel` in one position to prevent only admission of fluid through said unrestricted passage to said chamber and with the cover in another position to' prevent any flow of iiuid through said unrestricted passage.

8. A relay time element mechanism of the type wherein a iluid containing collapsible chamber is provided with means for collapsing it to reduce its volume, a restricted passage from said chamber for the admission and emission of iluid, an independent relatively unrestricted passage from said chamber provided with a plurality of valve compartments, a cover for said compartments, a valve operative when in one of said compartments and with the cover in position to prevent only emission of uid from said chamber through said unrestricted passage whereby to permit only a relatively slow collapsing of the chamberand when in another of said compartments and with the cover in positionto prevent only admission of iluid through said unrestricted passage to said chamber whereby to permit only a relatively slow return o'f said chamber to its initial volume.

9. In a relay time element mechanism of the type wherein a iluid containing chamber of variable volume is provided with means for changing its volume, means for controlling the now of fluid to and from said chamber including a passage from said chamber and valve means having a plurality of parts so constructed and arranged that when all of said parts are assembled in one way fluid can flow through said passage in only one direction and when all of said parts are assembled in another way iluid can flo'w through said passage in only the opposite direction and when all of said parts are assembled in a third way no fluid can ow through said passage.

10. In a relay time element mechanism of the type wherein a fluid containing chamber of variable volume is provided with means for changing its volume, means for controlling the flow of iiuid to and from said chamber including a passage from said chamber and valve means having a plurality of parts so constructed and arranged that when all of said parts are assembled in one Way Afluid can ilow through said passage in only one direction and when all of said parts are assembled in another Way no fluid can l'low through said passage. Y

11. In a relay time element mechanism of the type wherein a fluid containing chamber of variable volume is provided with means for changing its volume, means for controlling the Vflow of Vuid to and from said chamber including a passage from said chamber and valve means hav- Eecutriz of the Estate of Harry M. Stevens, 10

Deceased. 

